Best Saturation Plugins

1. 01
   8.8Great
   Effect

   UAD Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder

   UAD Ampex ATR-102 is an officially authenticated 2-track mastering tape machine plugin with multiple tape heads, formulas, speeds, and Auto-Gain calibration.

   DeveloperUniversal Audio
   Price$49+
   Read the full review →Check price
2. 02
   8.7Great
   Effect

   Soundtoys Decapitator

   Soundtoys Decapitator is an analog saturation plugin that models hardware consoles, preamps, and studio distortion units to add subtle to extreme warmth.

   DeveloperSoundtoys
   Price$199
   Read the full review →Check price
3. 03
   8.7Great
   Effect

   FabFilter Saturn 2

   FabFilter Saturn 2 is a multiband distortion and saturation plug-in with 28 distortion styles and extensive modulation options.

   DeveloperFabFilter
   Price—
   Read the full review →Check price
4. 04
   8.6Great
   Effect

   Black Box HG-2

   Black Box HG-2 (Plugin Alliance) — effect from Plugin Alliance. Score 8.6/10, price $199, formats and comparisons.

   DeveloperPlugin Alliance
   Price$199
   Read the full review →Official site
5. 05
   8.6Great
   Effect

   PSP VintageWarmer2

   PSP VintageWarmer2 by PSP Audioware. A legendary multi/single-band saturating compressor/limiter that still earns a place for analog-style warmth and glue.

   DeveloperPSP Audioware
   Price$149
   Read the full review →Check price
6. 06
   8.6Great
   Effect

   Satin

   Satin (u-he) — tape machine emulation effect. Score 8.6/10, price €129, formats and comparisons.

   Developeru-he
   Price€129
   Read the full review →Check price
7. 07
   8.6Great
   Effect

   UAD Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder

   UAD Studer A800 is a licensed multitrack 2-inch tape machine emulation for track-by-track analog tape color, calibrated paths, and mix glue.

   DeveloperUniversal Audio
   Price$49+
   Read the full review →Check price
8. 08
   8.5Great
   Effect

   Softube Tape

   Softube Tape (Softube) — effect from Softube. Score 8.5/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.

   DeveloperSoftube
   Price$99
   Read the full review →Check price
9. 09
   8.4Great
   Effect

   Chow Tape Model

   Chow Tape Model is a free open-source physical model of reel-to-reel analog tape, originally based on the Sony TC-260 and expanded for deep tape saturation control.

   DeveloperChowdhury DSP
   PriceFree
   Read the full review →Official site
10. 10
    8.4Great
    Effect

    Tone Projects Kelvin Tone Shaper

    Tone Projects Kelvin Tone Shaper by Tone Projects. Dual-stage saturation with push/pull EQ tone shaping—creative color that stays mix-usable.

    DeveloperTone Projects
    Price€99
    Read the full review →Official site
11. 11
    8.4Great
    Effect

    Softube Harmonics

    Softube Harmonics (Softube) — effect from Softube. Score 8.4/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.

    DeveloperSoftube
    Price$99
    Read the full review →Official site
12. 12
    8.3Great
    Effect

    Baby Audio TAPE

    TAIP is an AI-modeled tape saturation plugin from Baby Audio that emulates a 1970s tape machine to add analog warmth and color.

    DeveloperBaby Audio
    Price—
    Read the full review →Check price
13. 13
    8.3Great
    Effect

    Radiator

    Radiator (Soundtoys) — effect from Soundtoys. Score 8.3/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.

    DeveloperSoundtoys
    Price$99
    Read the full review →Check price
14. 14
    8.2Great
    Effect

    Softube Saturation Knob

    Softube Saturation Knob (Softube) — effect from Softube. Score 8.2/10, price Free, formats and comparisons.

    DeveloperSoftube
    PriceFree
    Read the full review →Official site
15. 15
    7.9Good
    Effect

    Little Radiator

    Little Radiator (Soundtoys) — effect from Soundtoys. Score 7.9/10, price $49, formats and comparisons.

    DeveloperSoundtoys
    Price$49
    Read the full review →Official site
16. 16
    7.6Good
    Effect

    Baby Audio Parallel Aggressor

    Parallel Aggressor adds parallel saturation and compression in one plugin, splitting your audio into three signals you can balance for added punch.

    DeveloperBaby Audio
    Price—
    Read the full review →Check price

Browse the full plugin database.